Introducing Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund
WIHS Equitation Grant
WIHS Equitation Grant
WASHINGTON, August 16, 2017–The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most exciting and entertaining equestrian events in North America, is pleased to announce Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund as title sponsor of the 2017 WIHS Equitation Finals. The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals is a prestigious national championship for junior riders, which will take place Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, during WIHS show week at Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center) in Washington, D.C. A special component of this partnership is the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund as title sponsor of the WIHS Equitation Finals, a very special competition at WIHS and a proving ground for future grand prix and Olympic riders,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “It’s wonderful to see the passion and commitment junior riders from across the country put into qualifying throughout the year to earn a place in the finals here in the nation’s capital. The generous support of Lindsay Maxwell is an investment in talented junior riders who will go on as riders or trainers or to represent the United States in international competition at the highest levels.”
The 2016 WIHS Equitation Finals award presentation with champion Hunter Holloway aboard Any Given Sunday with WIHS President Vicki Lowell, Holloway’s trainer Don Stewart and the top finishers. ©Shawn McMillen Photography
“The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund is proud to support the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals. The Finals are one of the truly great, national-level equestrian competitions and represent the culmination of years of dedication, countless hours of practice, and are definitely a highlight of a junior rider’s career,” said Lindsay Maxwell, a successful California-based amateur rider and philanthropist.
Now in its 26th year, the WIHS Equitation Finals is a rigorous three-phase competition held over two days. A panel of three judges test and evaluate the riders in hunter, jumper and work-off rounds to determine the best of the best.
Former WIHS Equitation Finals champions include Kent Farrington (1999), currently the #1 rider in the world and two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (1993), currently #2 in the world. Other WIHS Equitation Finals alums active in grand prix ranks include Brianne Goutal (2004), a judge in this year’s Finals, Jack Hardin Towell Jr. (2006), Lillie Keenan (2010), Victoria Colvin (2015) and Hunter Holloway (2016).
Trainer Don Stewart gives 2016 WIHS Equitation Champion Hunter Holloway a congratulatory kiss.© Alden Corrigan MediaLindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant
Introduced this year, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant will give a rider the opportunity to participate in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals in Washington, D.C., without the financial burden that accompanies travel to the event. The grant is not strictly monetary in nature but rather experience-based.
“It excites me to share the opportunity to participate in the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals with a deserving junior rider,” said Maxwell. “A key component of the Fund’s mission is to positively impact the lives of young people by providing access to special opportunities. My hope is that today’s young riders will embrace a tradition of “paying forward” access to the next generation of equestrians.”
To be eligible, applicants must be WIHS members and in the top 70 of the WIHS Equitation Rankings at the time of application. The deadline is Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Applications are available on wihs.org/wihs-equitation or by contacting Lindsay Pologe at info@wihs.org or 202-525-3679.
Invitations to compete in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals will be sent to the top 40 junior riders based on points earned during the qualifying period in the East Coast and West Coast Leagues with 30 riders invited from the East Coast League and 10 riders from the West Coast League.
Qualifying events for WIHS Equitation are held at more than 650 horse shows throughout North America, where riders can earn points to be eligible to compete in the Equitation Finals as well as the WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships. The qualifying period runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.
2016 WIHS Equitation champion Hunter Holloway is all smiles during her victory gallop. © Alden Corrigan Media
The 59th annual Washington International Horse Show will take place Oct. 24-29 at Capital One Area in Washington, D.C. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com and at Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center) Box Office.
For more information, please visit www.wihs.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Tag us using #WIHS2017 and #HorsesInTheCity.
About The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund
The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund is a private, charitable fund. It accepts grant proposals for the benefit of charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, exclusively from tax-exempt, charitable organizations. The issues where the Fund focuses its resources reflect Lindsay’s personal priorities and values: improving the lives of children with special needs; enabling access opportunities to education; and providing care, compassion, and protection to animals.
The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund is a private, charitable fund. It accepts grant proposals for the benefit of charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, exclusively from tax-exempt, charitable organizations. The issues where the Fund focuses its resources reflect Lindsay’s personal priorities and values: improving the lives of children with special needs; enabling access opportunities to education; and providing care, compassion, and protection to animals.
